The Federal Government has informed FIFA of its decision to recognize the Amaju-Pinnick- led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the only football governing body in the country.
The Special Assistant to Vice-President on Media, Laolu Akande, disclosed the decision in a tweet on Monday.
“Government will also continue to work with all relevant stakeholders involved to resolve dispute in a timely manner.
“Federal Government is upholdiing NFF treaty and obligations to FIFA,” Akande stated.
The Federal Government has embraced a working agreement that will see the country’s soccer administrators accept the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA’s) statutes for the smooth running of the game, NationSport can reveal.
The Federal Government on Saturday dispatched a letter to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, detailing the agreement reached between both bodies, making it imperative on the world soccer ruling body’s chieftains to drop the proposed sanctions on Nigeria from noon today, if the leadership of Amaju Pinnick is not allowed to do its jobs at the Glasshouse of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following the legal tussle in the country’s polity.
NationSport further scooped that FIFA chieftains are impressed with the progress made in the negotiations with top government officials leading to the drafting of the letter from Nigeria and are ready to work with the country which is a key stakeholder in global soccer, especially the young Nigerians plying their trade in Europe and the Diaspora.
Not much was divulged to NationSport about the content of the FG letter except for the fact all our national teams and club sides are to prepare for their matches and win laurels for the country like they have been doing in the past.
FIFA had some time last month written a letter to the NFF and the Nigerian government, on the need to resolve the crisis in the federation, especially the trend of taking football matters to the civil courts, which the world soccer ruling body frowns on.
“In line with article. 16, paragraph. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided that if by Monday, 20 August 2018, at 12:00 (CET), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Pinnick, who was duly elected on 30 September 2014, the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19, as well as art. 14 par. 1 a) of the FIFA Statutes,” the FIFA statement said.
“The suspension would be lifted only once the NFF, under President Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, confirms that it has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.”
“Furthermore, the Bureau decided that if the suspension of the NFF takes effect, the Nigerian team currently competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 will still be allowed to continue to participate in the tournament on an exceptional basis given that the tournament is underway.”
World Soccer Ruling body FIFA has rejected outright Nigeria’s request for reconciliation cum normalisation meeting in Zurich. Sportinglife.ng gathered that last minute effort being made by Nigeria Football Federation and the Ministry of sports with intent to stop the looming ban.
The latest move is coming barely 48 hours after Ghana succeeded in reaching agreement with FIFA to set up a nomalisation committee to run its affairs and navigate the country’s football federation out of crisis invested waters. But the same cannot be said of Nigeria as FIFA did not only quarrel with the composition of the delegation but noted that going ahead with Nigerian delegation as composed amounted to dictating for the soccer ruling body.
Before the ‘please stay away order’ response from FIFA, a 16-man delegation to be led by the Sports minister Solomon Dalung had hoped to jet off to Zurich for the round table parley.
Also included in the delegation are permanent Secretary Ministry of sports, Olusade Adesola, and two former NFA chairmen, Kodjo Williams and Ibrahim Galadima as well as former General Secretary, Bolaji Ojo-Oba.Also included are the two waring men for the soul of the Glass House Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino is said not to be particularly tickled by the inclusion of both waring parties considering that the Giwa is still under FIFA ban. 
Nigeria has till 12noon Monday to sort the crisis out on face the hammer that will not only put football activities in the country on hold but will also see Confederation cup campaigners Enyimba who billed to face Djoliba on Sunday, kiss goodbye to the competition irrespective of the result they get in Bamako.
Imagine a behemoth – huge and nigh motionless unless stunned with high voltage electric. Then it would stir, half alive, heave so painfully slowly into some uncertain, belated action.
Such is the image the presidency cuts in the brouhaha that has plagued the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, in the last few years. Since after a contentious and fractious election into the federation four years ago, Nigeria’s football house has been embroiled in a ruinous tussle for the soul of the Glass House, the seat of the NFF.
Two gladiators: Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa had emerged, both laying claims to the chairmanship of the NFF board. Regardless of the details of the election, it is on record that the world football governing body, FIFA, eventually recognised the Pinnick-led board and has had extensive dealings with it in the last four years.
The other contestant, Giwa, had challenged Pinnick’s election through the entire gamut of FIFA arbitration procedure, including appeal to the highest level, the Court of Arbitration in Sports, CAS to no avail. Having exhausted FIFA’s proceedings, he headed to the local courts in clear repudiation of FIFA’s statutes.
On April 27, 2016 Nigeria’s Supreme Court had ruled that the relevant matter in contention be “remitted to the trial High Court for expeditious hearing and determination on the merit.”
FIFA responded by reminding Giwa that recourse to ordinary court of law is prohibited according to Article 59 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the FIFA statute. On account of this, on January 10, 2017, FIFA Disciplinary Committee upheld the ban imposed on Giwa and his cohorts by the NFF Disciplinary Committee.
Giwa and his group were barred from taking part in any kind of football-related activity for five years.
In fairness to Giwa, he seemed to have taken FIFA’s ruling in his strides and returned to his base in Jos, Plateau State. He was running his Division One Football Club, Giwa FC until the emergence of Solomon Dalong as Minister of Youth and Sports in this administration.
Giwa’s fire of rebellion seemed to have been kindled afresh as he has returned to the Supreme Court once again and managed to obtain some favourable rulings which he has deployed to disrupting the football house at will.
Last month, while Pinnick was still in Russia playing critical roles in the last FIFA World Cup, Dalong seemingly teamed up with Giwa, and corralling some security agencies, they forcibly occupied the Glass House, pretending to take control of football administration in Nigeria.
But it was a charade; a farcical drama that heaps shame and odium on the entire country. It has been a cat and mouse story that has seen Giwa and Pinnick’s factions hijack the football headquarters in turns like infants playing hide-and-seek.
FIFA has apparently watched the Nigerian theatre of the absurd in horror and bemusement. Since no arbitration or mediation seems to help the situation, the world football body eventually moved mid-week to stem the seeming un-ending malady. It issued ultimatum last Tuesday to ban Nigeria from global football for undue influence in the affairs of its football governing body.
Obviously miffed, FIFA handed only a four-working-day grace lasting till Monday, August 20, 2018.
Surprisingly, the Presidency which had for nearly four years watched the show of shame disinterestedly suddenly awakens, inviting the factions to a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
A possible outcome of this meeting would be that Nigeria might be able to stave off the looming ban. But it casts the country in bad light that for four years, Nigeria’s football has been embroiled in a shameful and damaging tussle. There is a similar disgraceful tussle in the basketball federation which has lingered for about two years. These have taken untold toll on our sports, not to mention the taint on the nation’s image.
It is a puzzle that it would take the presidency so long to wade into the crisis and set the factions on the path of honour. We want to put it all down to leadership failure. This matter could have been managed many moons ago. ‘Proactive’ is the missing word.
Nigeria football community was thrown into confusion as Victor Moses on Wednesday, announced his retirement from the Super Eagles at the age of 27.
Victor bagged 37 caps with 12 goals in 6 years with the Nigerian senior national team.
He had his debut game against Ethiopia in 2012 scoring both goals.
Moses was clear by the football ruling body, FIFA after switching nationality in 2011.
He was an integral part of the 2013 squad that won the African Cup of Nations, the third for Nigeria, where he played very well in all the matches. He had previously featured for England’s U16, U17, U19 and U21.
The Chelsea winger’s announcement was greeted with mixed reactions on social media as Nigerian fans received the news.
@T17i_ tweeted
Victor you gave your heart for the badge and will go down as the greatest African to ever exist.
@LawrenceEgun wrote
Wow!!! Well done Victor…Thanks for the memories. Wishing you the very best Naija baller.
“@FrancisUgboko4: Dear Victor Moses its better u never played for Nigeria how can u come and break our hearts just like that is not fair.
@afrocanmusicpro wrote: Best wishes @VictorMoses I am proud of you’ you made us proud… am not ok with you retiring but will let you go.. Good luck mate
@Adefola16 said:
We appreciate everything you’ve done but it’s bad for the Nation at this your young age. Anyway you’re entitled to your own wish. I wish you good luck sha!
@ablegodkelvin simply wrote: WE DO NOT ACCEPT.
Some had to beg him to reconsider. Like @victordivine1 said: At age 27 Victor Moses y na, no retire abeg @VictorMoses
@SamieMiles just wrote Victor whyyyy???? Please come back @VictorMoses #Victormoses
@temitopeomoniyi: .@VictorMoses We receive the news of your resignation from @NGSuperEagles with great shock.
While we understand your position to create more time for your family & @ChelseaFC, we’d like to appeal to you to consider this decision.
We love you!
God Bless Nigeria!
#Superfans
Some were seriously angry and didn’t take it lightly.
@yincabams wrote about his earlier prediction thus, I actually don’t see Nigeria qualify out of that group after yesterday match… And I can bet it, Moses will not heed Nigeria call up for any match after the world cup. This is what I twit during d world cup. I am been justified.
A furious @alpheusseboane wrote It’s not like he’s 37 years he’s 27 years for godsake But as usual most of this african players are selfish, in fact screw him and he’s focusing on club level idea, I hope he gets benched until his bum gets burned on that bench.
@naijafoo who claimed to be a Belgian born Nigerian said “I personally don’t care. My own is my club must win a trophy this season moses or no moses”
@Gauzemiller1 said (edited), ***** this dude juxt choose to play for us because he couldn’t make the english squad. Not even sure he can sing the national anthem. saw him keeping his mouth muted. When others were reciting the national anthem against Croatia. Always thinking he is Messi. (I) use to love u bro.
Victor Moses has featured in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup. He went on to give reasons for his retirement saying “However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and flourish.“
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday met behind closed doors with the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.
The meeting started at 4.20 p.m shortly after Dalung arrived the acting president’s office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The world football ruling body, FIFA, is threatening to sanction Nigeria over government interference.
Four officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) were said to have met with the acting President in his office before commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.
Details Later
World football governing body FIFA on Tuesday said it would go on to suspend Nigeria and Ghana from football activities if they failed to comply with its instructions by Monday.
FIFA, in a statement by its Media Office, said it had been notified about ongoings in the two federations, and it viewed them as “undue interference in their affairs’’.
It said Nigeria must ensure the NFF offices in Abuja are occupied by the Amaju Pinnick faction of the federation’s Congress by Monday.
FIFA however said whatever decision it would take would not affect the Falconets, Nigeria’s under-20 women team, who are currently in France participating in the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Glass House has been occupied recently at different times by both the Chris Giwa and Pinnick factions of the federation’s Congress
This occupation has however been with the aid of men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) at such times.
While Giwa’s occupation was said to be “at the instance of the courts’’, that of Pinnick was said to be “on the orders of Presidency’’.
In the case of Ghana, the country has until Aug. 27 to stop the process of liquidation of the Ghana Football Association.
Below is the full text of FIFA’s statement, unedited:
“Two decisions of the Bureau of the FIFA Council in relation to undue influence in the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ghana Football Association have been notified on 13 August 2018.
In line with art. 16 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided that if by Monday, 20 August 2018, at 12:00 (CET), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was duly elected on 30 September 2014, the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19, as well as art. 14 par. 1 a) of the FIFA Statutes.
The suspension would be lifted only once the NFF, under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, confirms that it has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.
Furthermore, the Bureau decided that if the suspension of the NFF takes effect, the Nigerian team currently competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 will still be allowed to continue to participate in the tournament on an exceptional basis given that the tournament is underway.
In Ghana, it is noted that formal investigation proceedings are currently being carried out by the chairperson of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee against Mr Nyantakyi, who has been provisionally suspended by a decision taken by the chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. However, the Bureau of the Council considers that the petition introduced by the Attorney General to the High Court of Justice to start the liquidation process of the GFA constitutes undue influence in the affairs of the GFA in contravention of art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes.
Under these circumstances, the Bureau decided that if the petition to start the liquidation process of the GFA is not withdrawn by Monday, 27 August 2018 at 12:00 (CET), the GFA will be suspended with immediate effect. The suspension would be lifted only once the above-mentioned petition is withdrawn and FIFA is given written proof thereof.’’
NAN reports that the NFF has been engulfed in a leadership crisis since 2014 when two elections were held into the Executive Committee of the federation.
As the FIFA under 20 Women’s World Cup kicks off on the 5th of August, Official broadcast partner of the completion, StarTimes Nigeria has urged the Super Falconets to do the country proud by bringing the cup home.
The biannual tournament will last until 24th of August, as 16 teams battle for glory. The Falconets are scheduled against Germany at the Stade de Marville in Saint-Malo on Monday, 6th August. Recall that the German team edged Nigeria to lift the trophy the two times Nigeria got to the championship final in 2010 in Germany and 2014 in Canada.
According to Startimes, all 32 matches will be brought to Nigerians live and in HD on StarTimes World Football and Sports focus for the entertainment of its subscribers across Africa.
In a goodwill message to the Falconets who are also Two-time runners-up in the previous competition, StarTimes urged the team to do Nigeria proud by bringing home the cup.
Non-subscribers are not left out as all the matches can be watched live and in HD on StarTimes mobile App, which can be downloaded from the Android and iOS app store with over 2 million downloads since it became available in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Group D opponents Haiti will be taking part in their first ever FIFA women’s tournament. The other African flag bearers, Ghana were grouped with hosts France, New Zealand and The Netherlands in Group A.
Ghana will go up against hosts France in the tournaments opening match in Vannes on Sunday, 5th August. Concarneau is the other city that host matches during the championship.
Group B is has Korea DPR heading the group alongside England, Mexico and Brazil as group members, while USA, Japan, Paraguay and Spain will battle it out in Group C.
Neymar finished third in the voting last year but, despite winning four domestic trophies with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona, an underwhelming World Cup on his return from a fractured foot saw the Brazil superstar omitted.
Pogba shone at Russia 2018 as France won the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, but the Manchester United midfielder did not follow international team-mates Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane on to the list.
Varane is the only defender included, alongside his Real Madrid colleague Luka Modric – the World Cup’s Golden Ball winner.
Ronaldo has won the award in each of the two years since the prize was launched, with Messi second on both occasions.
Fans have a chance to vote for their winners, with the victor to be announced at a London ceremony on September 24.
SHORTLIST IN FULL:
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid and France)
Eden Hazard (Chelsea and Belgium)
Harry Kane (Tottenham and England)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid and Croatia)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal, Real Madrid in 2017-18)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City and Belgium)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid and France)
World football governing body FIFA will on Tuesday announce the shortlists for the four awards which will feature at the third edition of “The Best FIFA Football Awards’’.
The awards scheduled for Sept. 24 is the latest edition of the annual awards FIFA has staged ever since the launch of the FIFA World Player Gala in 1991.
“The world will move a step closer to learning the identities of this year’s winners, with FIFA announcing the shortlists for four awards throughout the course of the day on its website and across social media.
“Starting at 13:00 CET, the announcement will begin with the candidates for `The Best FIFA Women’s Coach’ and will be concluded with those for `The Best FIFA Men’s Player’ at 16:00 CET,’’ FIFA said through its Media Office on Monday.
The other two awards are “The Best FIFA Men’s Coach’’ and “The Best FIFA Women’s Player’’.
The world football governing body would announce the final lists of the three nominees for each of the four categories in early September.
The ceremony where all winners will be crowned will take place in London on Sept. 24.
The other winners are those of the FIFA Fair Play Award, the FIFA Puskas Award, the FIFA Fan Award, the Best FIFA Goalkeeper Award and the FIFA FIFPro World 11.